Travel Journal

Tofino - July 28-29-30

(Thursday 2 August 2007) by Karin

Just past the far end of Long Beach, overlooking Clayoquot Sound, Tofino has flourished as a tourism destination in the heart of some of the world's most breathtaking and pristine wilderness. Outdoor activities include whale watching, fishing, kayaking, diving, surfing and guided bear watching tours. Hikers enjoy the many trails in the Long Beach area and surrounding the town side. The First Nations people in the Tofino area are the original locals. The Tla-o-qui-aht, Ahousaht and Hesquiaht are only a few tribes who have called Clayoquot Sound home for thousands of years. There are three main First Nations communities in the area: Esowista is located on long beach, Opitsaht is on Meares Island, just across from downtown Tofino, and Ahousaht is roughly 10 miles by water from Tofino, on Flores Island.
27 nautical miles north west of Tofino sits the picturesque Hot Springs Cove, home of the Hesquiat people and the Maquinna Provincial Parks. The natural hot spring bubbles up from a crack in the earth near the mouth of the bay. The simmering sulpher water (stinky) flows a gentle brook and then cascades into 5 interconnected natural pools that descend into the sea. At the higher tides the waves of the pacific lap into the hot springs pools creating the incredible meeting of the cold ocean waters and the magma heated spring. Getting there is half the fun. Most tours do whale watching followed by a stop at the hot springs but I wasn't much interested in the whale watching as I did some in Victoria a few days ago. So took a boat tour with a short stop for whale watching (didn't see any but saw sea lions) and then straight to the hot springs. On a arrival, a two km trek along the boardwalk through the forest brings you to the hot springs. Water is definitely hot and went down to the lower part to experience the cold-hot meeting of water. And cold it was. The weather was gray and wet so having your feet in hot water is quite nice. Back to the boat a few hours later that brought us back to Tofino. Just hanging around the hostel for the rest of the day.
Angel today was the Angel of Willingness: willingness is the ability to use our will with love and wisdom.
Sunday the sun appeared again and I decide to book a passage to the old growth forest of Meares Island after a sleep-in and some hanging around the hostel. I also had to pack up my belongings as I'm on the overflow list at the hostel which means that if a bed doesn't free up I will be sleeping on an air mattress in the games room for the next two nights. It's only a short boat ride to the island and not a very long walk over a board walk with amazingly big trees. Continue a while after the boardwalk and find a beautiful, quiet little beach and decide to hang out there and enjoy the stunning views and quietness. I will only be picked up again at 5:00 so have some time to enjoy. Back in Tofino I enjoy some dinner and a beautiful sunset. Angel of Abundance enjoyed this day with me.
On Monday the Angel of Light travels with me. And more sun on the menu. The heart of any Tofino vacation has got to be hangin' out at the beach. A good book and some sunscreen is all you need for hours of relaxation on the white sand. There are many beaches to choose from. I decide to stretch my legs with a hike from the Wickaninnish Interpretive Center to Long Beach, the most accessible unit of the Pacific Rim National Park reserve. Long beach is an incredible 10 km stretch of wild, wave-tossed sand. Giant piles of driftwood line the beach, kelp and crab shells litter the sand and eagles circle above. Glad I took my sweater cause I walked against the wind and the wind was cold. A beautiful hike, followed by a nice lunch on the beach and a nap in the sun before hopping back on the bus that will bring me back to Tofino. Had some dinner at the hostel and went for a walk around town. Ended up in a little park watching a stunning sunset. What a great way to end a day.